A contingent from Washington Department of Ecology joined DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program staff for two days of meetings aimed at learning how the program works and how industry uses cleaner transportation fuels. The visit included time with Oregon’s two largest electric utilities Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, and a tour of Daimler Truck North America’s “Electric Island” in north Portland.
“Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program has become a model that other states want to follow,” said Cory-Ann Wind, who manages the program. “It was great to work with folks from Ecology to start building their program.”
Ecology is working to develop its own clean fuels standard, following passage of legislation in 2021. Rulemaking is underway and adoption expected later this year, and a start date of January 2023.
“It was great to spend time with Ecology to share lessons learned and plan for the future.”
Rachel Sakata
Eight staff from Ecology were part of the Oregon trip who met with the CFP team and Rachel Sakata, DEQ air quality planner who oversees the EV rebate program and Zero Emission Vehicle regulations. Site visits also included Forth Mobile EV Showcase and DPI Specialty Foods in Tualatin to see electric forklifts, palette jacks and refrigerated trucks that plug in instead of idling their diesel engines.
“Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program has become a model that other states want to follow.”
Cory-Ann Wind
At Daimler, Sakata grabbed the chance to ride in their Class 6 electric semi-truck. Washington also is looking at adopting rules that encourage more sales of electric vehicles and trucks, similar to Oregon and California.
“The West Coast is taking the lead on greenhouse gas reductions,” Sakata said. “It was great to spend time with Ecology to share lessons learned and plan for the future.”
By Harry Esteve, communications manager